FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11 May 2000
£1/4 MILLION SCOTTISH BOILERS ON THE MOVE FOR
WAVERLEY REBUILD
Two unique Cochran Thermax Boilers will be leave at 11am on Monday 15 May from the Cochran Newbie Works in Annan, Dumfries on their 350 mile journey to George Prior’s Shipyard in Great Yarmouth for the re-build of the Waverley, the only sea-going paddle steamer in the world. Costing £220,000, the new boilers, which weigh 20 tonnes each, will replace the existing single boiler which was 20 years old – thereby making Waverley the first twin-boiler Paddle Steamer since Caledonia (1934-1969).
The new boilers are part of a £3.7million re-build of the famous paddle steamer, owned by Glasgow-based charity Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd, which aims to restore the historic ship to her original 1947 form, whilst complying with all relevant marine safety legislation.
The two Cochran Thermax boilers are unique in that they are to be installed into a much tighter space than usually allowed. They have been specially designed to respond to the demanding operating requirements of this busy Paddle Steamer, being both more environmentally friendly and more energy efficient. At full speed they will burn 17 tonnes of fuel a day.
Ian McMillan, Project Director, Waverley Excursions, commented:
"We are delighted that this historic ship should be steaming into the future with boilers from one of Scotland’s oldest and most famous firm of steam engineers".
After a journey of 24 hours being transported by expert heavy lift hauliers, the boilers will be lifted to quayside at Ocean Berth Number 7 at Great Yarmouth to await onward installation in Waverley at the end of May.
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Funding for the re- build comprises a £2.7million Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant with significant partnership funding also being provided by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, Strathclyde European Partnership, Dunbartonshire Enterprise, Enterprise Ayrshire, South Ayrshire and Argyll & Bute Councils.